Japanese word

顔

Pronunciation

Romajikao

Meaning

  • nounface

Example

私は毎朝、顔を洗います。watashi wa mai asa kao o ara i ma su

I wash my face every morning.

Illustration for 顔 (face)

More examples

朝、顔を洗います。asa kao o ara i ma su

I wash my face in the morning.

外出する前に、顔に日焼け止めを塗ります。gai shutsu su ru mae ni kao ni hi ya ke to me o nu ri ma su

I put sunscreen on my face before going out.

Core concept

Refers to the part of the head that people see first and use to recognize a person, as well as the appearance it presents.

Common phrases

  • 顔を洗うkao o ara u

    wash one's face

  • 顔を拭くkao o fu ku

    wipe one's face

  • 顔に塗るkao ni nu ru

    apply to the face

Similar words

顔つきkaotsuki: The appearance and expression shown by a person's face.

Definition in Japanese

目や鼻や口などが集まる頭部の前面。また、そこに表れる外見や表情。me ya hana ya kuchi na do ga atsu ma ru tō bu no zen men ma ta so ko ni arawa re ru gai ken ya hyō jō

Word origin

The Japanese word 顔 (kao, "face") is native rather than borrowed and was formerly かほ (kaho); its deeper origin is uncertain, and 顔 is the Chinese character used to represent it.

Usage tips

  • In the expression 顔を出す (kao o dasu), the literal act of showing one's face also means making a brief appearance at a place or event.

Other meanings

  • looksnoun
  • facial featuresnoun

Word lists with this word